Christopher Nkunku was a very thrilling signed when he arrived at Chelsea, and the charge we paid for him (£52m) was really a little bit of a snip within the grand scheme of issues.
However my pleasure has been reserved after a season of accidents for the attacking midfielder. It’s been so disappointing to barely see him on his debut season.
Nkunku has made 13 appearances for Chelsea this season, which is actually tragic however has been a part of a wider damage downside on the membership.
At Chelsea, he has been lacking for 242 days by a knee damage, health, hip damage, and hamstring damage.
Earlier than he arrived at Chelsea, the longest he had missed with damage was 83 days. He had accidents, positive, however none of them had been that long run.
He’s been a shadow of the participant we all know in his appearances for us this season, and that can be right down to health. He’s typically gone misplaced, particularly when he was requested to play as a 9. I’ve by no means seen him as a 9, I’ve seen him extra as a ten, or a large participant.
I’m staying reserved with my pleasure, however on the identical time, Nkunku for me can now lock down that left hand aspect for subsequent season.
I nonetheless suppose Chelsea must signal one other winger this summer time, as a result of I wish to see Raheem Sterling offered, and I’m removed from satisfied about Mykhailo Mudryk or Noni Madueke.
One other talisman
However Nkunku confirmed within the Brighton recreation final evening that not solely can he fill in large on the left, he could be SUPERB large on the left. He simply oozes high quality and is identical stage as Cole Palmer. None of our different attackers are as shut as these two for pure high quality and ranges – these two can simply very quickly be classed as constant world class gamers, IF they keep match (extra for Nkunku) and preserve the excessive ranges of performances.
Palmer has typically been the talisman this season and has been the man to save lots of us and the one we depend on far an excessive amount of. I stated he’s wanted assist, and Nkunku could be that assist, he can share that burden of being the one to make issues occur in these artistic areas of the pitch. He has all of it about his recreation similar to Palmer. He performs with such confidence and perception in his capacity, and the best way he strikes and controls the ball is simply so pure and simple to him. He’s a brilliant tidy and intelligent participant who retains the ball so effectively.
I’d be completely satisfied handy him the keys to that left attacking midfield position for subsequent season, however I’d nonetheless be wanting so as to add in a brand new winger as effectively. I’d be wanting now at a winger who can play on both aspect and have the identical impression.
The fantastic thing about all of that is we’ve got flexibility and choices now with Palmer and Nkunku principally having the ability to play centrally, proper, or on the left, so we could be fairly open if we’re going to add in a brand new winger.
Though, we’ve got SO many wingers on our books now and are about to signal one other in Estevao Willian. Then there’s Omari Hutchinson, Kendry Paez, and Angelo simply to call some extra.
So will or not it’s good to truly wait on a few of these guys to return although? I’m unsure, however my instincts says we’d like a brand new prepared made winger now if we actually wish to push on.
